Policies

ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

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This policy outlines the acceptable use of General Public UK website ("the Website"). Users are granted permission to access information about General Public UK and, where interactive tools are available, communicate with us. Any use of the Website that disrupts its operations, business, or violates the acceptable use policy is strictly prohibited.

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COPYRIGHT

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User-Granted Material Rights

• If users place material, including software, on the Website, they automatically grant General Public UK the right, at no cost, to copy, adapt, edit, publish, distribute, translate, and use all such material. This includes granting other users the right to print copies for personal use. Users retain all rights in the material, subject to the grant mentioned and point 3.1 below.

 

Prohibition on Placing Copyright Material

• Users may not place copyright material on the Website without written permission from the copyright owner or an authorised representative. If requested by General Public UK, users must provide written proof of such consent.

• This policy serves as a guide to ensure a positive and constructive online environment for all users. Violations of this policy may result in appropriate action, including the editing or removal of materials and suspension or termination of user access. General Public UK reserves the right to exercise its discretion in enforcing this policy and taking necessary actions.

 

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

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All content on the General Public UK website, including but not limited to text, images, graphics, videos, and logos, is the property of General Public UK and is protected by UK copyright laws. This content may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, or otherwise used without the prior written permission of General Public UK. Unauthorised use of any content from this website may violate copyright, trademark, and other laws. For more information on copyright laws and intellectual property rights, please refer to the Intellectual Property Office website at gov.uk.

 

GENERAL PUBLIC UK COMMUNITY POLICY

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• General Public UK is dedicated to fostering a positive, inclusive, and respectful community environment across all platforms, including social media, the website, and in-person contact. Our Community Policy outlines the guidelines and expectations for user behaviour to ensure a safe and supportive community for all participants.

 

Respectful Communication

• Treat others with respect, kindness, and empathy in all communications, whether online or in-person.

• Avoid offensive, harassing, or discriminatory language or behaviour that may cause harm or discomfort to others

• Listen actively and considerately to others' perspectives, even in cases of disagreement.

 

Constructive Engagement

• Engage in constructive dialogue and discussions that contribute to the community's growth and learning.

• Provide feedback and suggestions in a respectful and constructive manner, aimed at fostering improvement and collaboration.

• Refrain from engaging in disruptive or inflammatory behaviour that may detract from the community's objectives

 

Privacy and Confidentiality

• Respect the privacy and confidentiality of fellow community members, both online and offline.

• Refrain from sharing personal or sensitive information about others without their consent.

• Use discretion when discussing sensitive topics or issues to maintain confidentiality and trust within the community.

• Compliance with Policies and Guidelines

• Adhere to General Public UK's policies, guidelines, and terms of service on social media platforms, the website, and during in-person classes.

• Follow specific guidelines and instructions provided by moderators or instructors to ensure a positive and cohesive community experience.

• Report any violations of policies or guidelines to General Public UK's administrators or moderators for appropriate actio

 

Gender Equality, Diversity, Inclusivity and belonging

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• Embrace diversity and inclusivity within the community, respecting the perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences of all members.

• Discriminatory or exclusionary behaviour based on factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion, disability, or socio-economic status will not be tolerated

• Actively promote a welcoming and supportive environment where everyone feels valued and included.

 

Professionalism and Integrity

• Maintain professionalism and integrity in all interactions and communications, upholding ethical standards and honesty.

• Represent General Public UK and its values positively, both online and in-person, and avoid actions that may reflect poorly on the organisation or community.

• Do not engaging in deceptive, fraudulent, or unethical behaviour that may compromise trust or credibility.

• General Public is committed to nurturing a community where individuals can engage, learn, and grow in a supportive and respectful environment. By adhering to these guidelines and expectations for user behaviour, we will create a community that promotes collaboration, understanding, and positive social impact.

General Public UK Community Policy reflects our commitment to creating a positive and inclusive community environment across all platforms and interactions.

 

USER-GENERATED CONTENT (UGC)

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General Public UK welcome and encourage user-generated content (UGC) on our website and social media platforms. We believe that UGC is a great way to engage with our community and showcase their creativity and passion. UGC refers to any content, including but not limited to text, images, videos, and audio recordings, that is created and published by users of our platforms.

However, we also recognise that UGC may come with certain risks, including copyright infringement, inappropriate content, and potential legal liabilities. Therefore, we have established the following policies to govern the use of UGC on our website and social media platforms:

• Content Standards & Legal Standards

• We have established the following content standards and legal standards for UGC:

• UGC must not be defamatory, obscene, offensive, or discriminatory in any way.

• UGC must not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others.

• UGC must not contain any confidential or sensitive information.

• UGC must comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

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Content Standards & Community Guidelines

In addition to the above standards, we have established community guidelines for UGC

• UGC must be relevant and respectful to our community and audience.

• UGC must not promote or glorify violence, hate speech, or harmful activities.

• UGC must not contain spam, misleading information, or fake news.

• UGC must not include personal attacks or bullying.

 

User Responsibility

Users who submit UGC must ensure that the content they submit is original, does not infringe on any copyright or intellectual property rights, and does not contain any offensive or inappropriate material. Users must also comply with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

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Moderation

We reserve the right to moderate and review all UGC submitted to our website and social media platforms. We may remove any UGC that we deem inappropriate or that violates our policies or applicable laws.

 

Copyright and Ownership

By submitting UGC to General Public UK, users grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, modify, and distribute their content in any form and for any purpose. Users retain ownership of their content, but by submitting UGC to our website and social media platforms, they agree to give permission to use their content.

 

Attribution

General Public UK will give credit to the user who submitted the UGC whenever feasible.

 

Indemnification

Users agree to indemnify and hold harmless from any and all claims, damages, and expenses arising out of or related to their UGC, including any claims of copyright or intellectual property infringement.

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Consequences of Breach

We take the breach of our UGC policy very seriously. We reserve the right to remove any UGC that breaches our content standards and community guidelines without notice or explanation. We may also take further action, including but not limited to banning the user from our platforms and reporting the UGC to relevant authorities.

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Changes to this UGC Policy

We may update this UGC policy from time to time, and the latest version will be posted on our website. We encourage all users to review this policy regularly to ensure compliance with the latest standards and guidelines. By continuing to use our platforms, users agree to abide by this UGC policy and any updates made to it.

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Contact

If you believe that any UGC on our website or social media platforms infringes on your copyright or intellectual property rights, please contact our customer service. support@urbancure.co.uk

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WHATSAPP COMMUNITY USER POLICY

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WhatsApp is committed to providing a safe, secure, and respectful environment for all users outlined in the guidelines and expectations for user behaviour on all our platform. By using WhatsApp, you agree to abide by these policies to maintain a positive and enjoyable experience for yourself and others.

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Respectful Communication

• Treat others with kindness, respect, and empathy. Avoid harassing, bullying, or threatening behaviour towards other users.

• Do not engage in hate speech, discrimination, or incitement to violence based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic.

• Respect the privacy of others and refrain from sharing personal information without consent. Do not post or distribute unauthorised content, such as private messages or confidential information.

 

Authenticity and

• Represent yourself truthfully and accurately. Do not impersonate others or create fake accounts to deceive or manipulate others.

•  Do not spread false or misleading information that could cause harm or deceive others. Verify the accuracy of information before sharing it with others.

•  Respect copyright and intellectual property rights. Do not share content that you do not have the right to distribute, such as copyrighted material or pirated content.

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Safety and Security

• Report any violations of these community guidelines, including abusive behaviour, hate speech, misinformation, or suspicious activity, to WhatsApp immediately.

• Take precautions to protect your personal information and account security. Do not share sensitive information or engage in risky behaviour on the platform.

• Be cautious of scams, phishing attempts, and fraudulent activities. Do not click on suspicious links or respond to unsolicited messages from unknown contacts.

 

Consequences of Violations

• Violations of the community policy may result in the suspension or termination of your WhatsApp account.

• Serious violations, such as hate speech, harassment, or illegal activities, may result in legal action being taken against the offending user.

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Loss of Access

Users who repeatedly violate the community policy may lose access to certain features or services on WhatsApp.

By adhering to these community guidelines, users can contribute to a positive and respectful environment on WhatsApp. Together, we can create a safe and enjoyable platform for communication and connection.

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SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY

 

Policy Purpose

General Public UK recognises the importance of social media as a powerful tool for communication, engagement, and outreach. However, it is essential to use social media responsibly and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for the effective and responsible use of social media by General Public UK employees and representatives to protect our positive reputation and support our mission.

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Compliance with Laws and Regulations

Use of social media is covered by a number of UK laws and social media has no national boundaries, so your posts may be read in other countries. All social media activities conducted on behalf of General Public UK must comply with relevant laws, including data protection, copyright, defamation, and privacy laws.

 

Employees, volunteers, Directors, Advisory Board must NOT posting any content that may be considered discriminatory, harassing, offensive, or otherwise unlawful. As a very simple guide, you may be breaking the law, if you post (or potentially repost) anything that may fall into any of the following categories:

• Harassment – not leaving someone alone.

• Menacing behaviour – writing something that may scare someone.

• Threatening behaviour – making someone believe that you were going to hurt them.

• Grossly offensive comments – making deeply unpleasant comments about a sensitive issue.

• Libel - a post is potentially libellous if it is a false statement and may damage someone's reputation.

• Defamation - users may be sued for defamation if you post an unsubstantiated rumour about someone.

• Data protection – breaching an individual’s right to privacy.

• Copyright – posting material without permission that is owned by another person or organisation.

 

General Public UK’s Spokespeople

We have a number of spokespeople to represent us, If you’re unsure if you are one or not, you’re not, so don’t.

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Even if you do not speak on behalf of General Public UK, you are personally responsible for all online content you publish. If you were to post on an issue related to our work, people who know you may think you were speaking on our behalf and those that don’t, may think so too, if you were to use our logo or refer to us in your posts.

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Protection of Reputation

• Employees representing General Public UK on social media platforms must uphold the organisation's positive reputation and brand image.

• Personal opinions expressed on social media should be clearly identified as such and should not be attributed to General Public UK unless authorised to do so.

 

Social Media Guidelines

• Do not breach privacy or security

• Do not post personal information, such as someone’s home address, and never post about individuals without their consent, unless there is little if any doubt it would be given. Remember that individuals who may not be fully competent, perhaps due to a disability or illness, such as dementia, may not be able to give consent.

• Don’t make it easy for criminals, by posting information that they might use. For example, that the lock on the front door has broken (again), or you will be taking a lot of cash to the bank and/or working late on your own.

• Clearly state your opinions are your own

• If you are not a spokesperson, make clear that your comments, opinions or tweets are your own, so these won’t be interpreted as our position. This statement could appear on your profile. On Twitter, this should be in the ‘Profile’ section, which can be edited under ‘Settings’.

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Appear human

• Observing certain guidelines does not mean you have to sound like a robot. Speak in the first person; bring your personality to the forefront.

• Write using our “tone of voice” Where possible, when communicating with the public, media or government, use our ‘tone of voice’.

• We are passionate in supporting our community and like a laugh as much as anyone else, but we’re professional, courteous, positive and respect the right of others to hold opinions that are different to ours.

 

Abusive Posts

• A troll is someone who intentionally causes upset, harm, or offence by provoking people online. Be careful not to confuse a troll with someone who is critical and/or upset. There will be people who have valid concerns or have a genuine complaint that may come across as angry and irate. Look at their social media to see they post and how they reply. Trolls often have a profile picture that is an object, rather than a person, or no profile image at all.

• People who are abusive are usually trying to provoke a reaction from you, so don’t give them what they want, you are unlikely to convince them they are wrong. Tweet or post separately to address the issue. You can also adjust your settings to not allow replies, use the relevant abuse reporting system, block them.  If you think they are committing a crime, report them to the police.

• If you disagree with something and feel you should respond, always be courteous and do not personalise your response. Focus on the issue, not the person who wrote the post. If you simply ‘poke someone in the chest’, you won’t get a positive response. No issue was ever be solved without a solution, so offer one.

• Using emoji, ‘lol’ etc can help add humour to a fun post, but don’t use if you are making an important point, as this would trivialise your message. Using multiple exclamations, and lots of capital letters, bold and underling is ‘shouting’, you would not be taken seriously.

• Think first, upload/tweet after

• If something gets online, it stays there for a long time. Tweets now appear in Google search results. So that off-hand tweet or opinionated blog post can all be traced back to you.

• Ask for a second opinion.

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Not sure if and how you should tweet or comment on something? Contact Citizen Advice for advice.

 

• Be politically neutral

• It is essential that we are not only politically neutral but seen to be. We aim to influence the government and its agencies positively in support of our community and criticising them won’t help us do that. Treat all recognised political parties with respect and support any of their initiatives that support our own aims, but we do not actively support or promote any individual party. Information on campaigning can be found  here and here.

 

ETHICS

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We are a charitable organisation, so appearing to support or endorse even inadvertently (eg smoking, getting drunk) would be inappropriate. Posts should always be respectful of beneficiaries and portray them in a way they would wish to be, and not cause embarrassment, offence or alarm.

• Respect copyright, fair use and other laws

• When using imagery, make sure you acknowledge the source and observe copyright laws. Images of crowds at events don’t require the approval of each individual, but an image where a limited number of individuals are the subject matter of the image do. For example, an image of a band at a large cultural event, which includes the audience, doesn’t require everyone in the audience’s approval, but a small group of people, where they are clearly the subject of the image would. It is particularly important that you obtain permission, if you wish to use images of children or vulnerable adults.

 

Don’t be offensive

• To anyone, for any reason. Two good tests:

• If you wouldn’t say it to their face, don’t say it at all and:

• If you wouldn’t want your mother to read it, don’t write it.  

• Extremist views, sexism, pornography/distressing or otherwise offensive imagery, racial/ethnic or religious discrimination, homophobia or disparaging comments against any minority group, such as people with disabilities or mentally ill would not be acceptable, under any circumstances, ever.

 

Meaning

• Remember that the majority of our communication is through body language and voice tone/loudness etc, and the amount of written text in social media can be limited, so meaning can easily be lost. What may appear light hearted and funny to you, may potentially come across very differently on social media.

• Take into account potential social and/or cultural differences in your audience who may be more sensitive to particular issues or subjects than the wider population.

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Moderation of Posts on General Public UK’s website and Social Media

We act as a platform, both online and off, for our community to debate issues that matter to them and we actively encourage diversity of opinion.  We believe that open, honest debate can help to address divisions and just because we don’t agree with something, doesn’t necessarily mean that we would remove it. For example, critical comments about our work are rare but, whilst we always respond in a balanced and measured way, we do not remove these, even when we do not necessarily agree with these, subject to the guidelines below.

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Our Community has diversity of views, some strongly held. There is nothing wrong in holding strong views, but that does not automatically make alternative views offensive. In general, as long as a post does not break the law, is a genuine contribution to a debate and is not offensive, we would not usually remove it. We will take down any post that falls into the categories below:

• Anything we believe may fall into any of the categories in the section above titled ‘The Law’.

• We would remove any post that contained views that we feel the majority of reasonable people would consider to be offensive.

• The section ‘Don’t be offensive’ above is not an exhaustive list but does provide guidance on what would normally be considered offensive.

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The use of ‘swear words’ would normally also be considered offensive;

• As would derogatory comments about an individual or organisation.

• Any post that is irrelevant to our work and the online conversations being held.

• We may also block those posting such material and/or report the issue to the relevant authorities.

• Social Media Posts - Take Down Process

• Authority to remove posts has been delegated, as follows:

• Immediate take-down of posts that are obviously unacceptable

• Take down of posts that may be unacceptable

• Any request to take down a post is to be managed using our complaints (or other) policy.

• Before a post is taken down, screenshot or otherwise record the post.

 

DATA PROTECTION POLICY

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General Public UK take the protection of personal data seriously and are committed to complying with the UK Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA) This policy sets out how we collect, use, store, and protect personal data.

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Collecting Personal Data

• We will only collect personal data that is necessary for the purposes for which it is collected. We will ensure that the data subject is aware of the purpose for which their data is being collected and the legal basis for processing their data.

 

Recording and Organising Personal Data

We will ensure that personal data is accurate and up-to-date, and we will keep it in a format that is easy to access and understand. We will only keep personal data for as long as necessary to fulfil the purpose for which it was collected.

 

Storing and Protecting Personal Data

• We will take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal data against unauthorised or unlawful processing, accidental loss, destruction, or damage. We will also ensure that personal data is kept confidential and is only accessible by those who have a legitimate need to access it.

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Adapting, Altering, Retrieving, and Using Personal Data

• We will ensure that personal data is only processed in accordance with the purpose for which it was collected. We will obtain consent from the data subject where required, and we will ensure that any personal data processed for a different purpose is done in accordance with applicable law.

• We will only disclose personal data where necessary and with appropriate safeguards in place. We will ensure that any third parties to whom personal data is disclosed are also complying with applicable data protection legislation.

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Deleting Personal Data

We will ensure that personal data is deleted when it is no longer necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, subject to any legal obligations to retain it.

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You have the right to access your personal data and to have it rectified, erased, or restricted. They also have the right to object to the processing of your personal data and to data portability. We will ensure that data subject requests are dealt with promptly and in accordance with applicable law.

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Training and Review

• We will ensure that all employees who handle personal data receive appropriate training on data protection.

• We will also review and update this policy as necessary to ensure ongoing compliance with data protection legislation.

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If you have any questions or concerns about how we collect, use, store, or protect personal data, please contact us at support@urbancure.co.uk.co.uk

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Privacy Policy and GDPR Policy

General Public UK is committed to protecting the privacy and security of our users. This Privacy Policy and GDPR Policy outlines how we collect, use, and disclose personal information in connection with our creative courses such as upcycling, DIY, upholstery, jewellery making, as well as selling creative kits and sustainable handmade-to-order goods.

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Information we Collect

We may collect personal information, such as your name, email address, postal address, phone number, and payment information, when you use our website to purchase our products or services. We may also collect non-personal information, such as your IP address and browsing history, to analyse website traffic and improve our services.

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Use of Information

We use personal information to fulfil orders, communicate with you about our products and services, and improve our website and services. We may also use personal information for marketing purposes with your consent. We do not sell or rent your personal information to third parties.

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Disclosure of Information

We may disclose personal information to third-party service providers who assist us with order fulfilment, payment processing, and website hosting. We may also disclose personal information to comply with legal obligations or enforce our policies.

 

Security

We use industry-standard security measures to protect personal information from unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction.

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GDPR Compliance

We comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and provide users with the following rights: the right to access, the right to rectification, the right to erasure, the right to restrict processing, the right to data portability, and the right to object.

 

If you would like to exercise any of these rights, please contact us at support@urbancure.co.uk.co.uk.

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Cookie Policy

We use cookies to improve website performance and user experience. Cookies are small data files that are placed on your device when you visit our website. You can adjust your browser settings to refuse cookies or alert you when cookies are being sent.

 

Third-Party Links

• Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these websites.

• Children's Privacy

• Our website is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13.

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Changes to Privacy Policy

• General Public UK reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time without prior notice. Your continued use of our website after such modifications will constitute your acceptance of the new Privacy Policy.

• By using our website, you consent to this Privacy Policy and GDPR Policy. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at support@southendcreativestudio.co.uk.

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We may collect the following personal information from you when you use our website to purchase our products or services:

Name

• Email address

• Postal address

• Phone number

• Payment information

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If users are taking courses on our website either face to face or online, we may collect additional personal information, such as:

• Date of birth

• Gender

• Education level

• Occupation

• Course preferences

• Course progress and performance data

 

We may use this information to personalise the course experience, improve course offerings, and communicate with users about their progress and upcoming courses. We will only collect this information with the user's explicit consent and will only use it for the purposes stated in our Privacy Policy and GDPR Policy. To implement GDPR compliace, we would take the following steps:

 

Appoint a Data Protection Officer

We would appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO) to oversee GDPR compliance and act as a point of contact for users with privacy concerns or requests.

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Update Privacy Policy and GDPR Policy

We would update our Privacy Policy and GDPR Policy to provide clear information about how we collect, use, and disclose personal information, as well as users' rights under GDPR.

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Obtain Consent

We would obtain explicit consent from users before collecting and using their personal information for specific purposes, such as marketing or course enrolment.

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Provide Data Access and Portability

We would provide users with the right to access and port their personal data, as well as the right to request erasure or rectification of their data.

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Data Breach Notification

We would have a process in place to detect, investigate, and report any data breaches to the relevant authorities and affected users within 72 hours.

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Vendor Management

We would ensure that any third-party vendors we work with are GDPR compliant and have proper security measures in place to protect personal data.

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Employee Training

We would provide training to our employees on GDPR compliance and their responsibilities for protecting personal data.

By implementing these steps, we can ensure that we are in compliance with GDPR and provide our users with the highest level of privacy protection.

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Dealing With Data Breach

General Public UK take data breaches very seriously and have plans in place to handle compliance with UK data protection laws. Here is an overview of the steps we would take in the event of a data breach:

• Contain the Breach

• As soon as we become aware of a breach, we would take immediate steps to contain it and prevent further data loss or exposure.

 

Assess the Impact

• We would assess the extent of the breach, including the types of data involved, the number of individuals affected, and the potential harm to affected individuals.

 

Notify the Authorities

• If the breach is likely to result in a risk to the rights and freedoms of individuals, we would notify the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) within 72 hours of becoming aware of the breach.

 

Notify Affected Individuals

• If the breach is likely to result in a high risk to the rights and freedoms of individuals, we would also notify affected individuals without undue delay.

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Investigate the Cause

We would investigate the cause of the breach and take steps to prevent it from happening again in the future.

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Provide Assistance​

We would provide affected individuals with advice and support, including information about how to protect their data.